DOCSLIB.ORG

Operational Guidelines for Intensified National Sari Surveillance

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR INTENSIFIED NATIONAL SARI SURVEILLANCE IHR, Alert and Response, and Epidemic Diseases Project Pan American Health Organization Washington, D. C. January 2011 CONTENTS Introduction_______________________________________________________________3 1. Overview ___________________________________________________________5 1.1. Background ________________________________________________________5 1.2. The International Health Regulations ____________________________________5 1.3. The Epidemiology of Influenza _________________________________________6 1.4. Clinical Description of Influenza__________________________________________10 1.5. Influenza and SARI surveillance _________________________________________11 1.6. Influenza Surveillance _________________________________________________13 2. Intensified National Surveillance of SARI________________________________15 2.1. Introduction _________________________________________________________15 2.2. Specific surveillance objectives________________________________________15 2.3. Purpose of surveillance______________________________________________16 2.4. Type of surveillance ________________________________________________16 2.5. Area of surveillance_________________________________________________16 2.6. Target population for surveillance ______________________________________16 2.7. Seasonality _________________________________________________________16 2.8. Data management__________________________________________________16 2.8.1. Data Collection Forms _______________________________________________17 2.8.2. Data collection steps ______________________________________________17 2.8.3. Data Analysis ___________________________________________________20 2.9. Organizing the Intensified National Surveillance System ______________________29 2.10. Information Flow ____________________________________________________31 Bibliography _____________________________________________________________32 ANNEX I - Collecting, Storing and Transporting Specimens of Respiratory Secretions for Virus Identification ______________________________________________________________37 October 2010 version 1 ANNEX II – Process Evaluation and Analysis of Surveillance Data ___________________51 ANNEX III – Infection Control _________________________________________________56 ANNEX IV – Data Collection Forms ____________________________________________62 ANNEX V – INFLU Data Analysis Application _____________ Error! Bookmark not defined. October 2010 version 2 Introduction Emerging respiratory infectious diseases pose a substantial risk for humans due to their extremely high potential to spread from person-to-person. These diseases can produce high morbidity and mortality. There have been several incidents of emerging respiratory infectious diseases in the last hundred years, including the influenza pandemic of 1918 known as the “Spanish flu”, the 1957 “Asian flu” pandemic, the 1968 “Hong Kong flu” pandemic, the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic, and the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic of April 2009. All of these events demonstrate the importance of having a respiratory disease surveillance system that can detect new viruses rapidly and provide information to assess impact on the population and having operational preparedness plans. The International Health Regulations [IHR (2005)] in effect since 15 June 2007 require all Member States to strengthen their surveillance and response capacities for events with major public health implications. Under the IHR (2005), PAHO/WHO is to be notified immediately of all cases of the following diseases: smallpox, poliomyelitis (due to wild poliovirus), SARS, and human influenza due to new virus subtypes. To strengthen basic surveillance and response capacities and integrate the epidemiological surveillance of influenza with laboratory surveillance into one system, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), developed a Generic Protocol for Influenza Surveillance, along with two operational guides designed primarily for local health teams in the PAHO Member States. The first operational guide was designed to help prepare health care facilities for unusual or unexpected cases or clusters of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), while the second was designed to systematize approaches to the implementation of sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and SARI. One important lesson learned from the 2009 influenza pandemic was the importance of obtaining information about severe cases. To that end, resources should be focused on expanding SARI surveillance. The purpose of this document is to provide a tool to support countries in implementing intensified SARI surveillance. October 2010 version 3 October 2010 version 4 1. Overview 1.1. Background On 24 April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) notified Member States of human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) in Mexico and the United States. The following day, pursuant to the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005) the event was declared to be a public health emergency of international importance. On 11 June 2009, a WHO statement declared phase six of preparations for the pandemic to be implemented worldwide. In other words, human infection caused by the 2009 pandemic influenza virus A (H1N1) 2009 had spread at the community level on more than two continents. As of 10 August, 2010, when the pandemic was declared over by WHO, more than 213 countries, representing all the continents, had reported confirmed cases of infection caused by the new virus, including 18,449 deaths, 8,557 of which were in the Region of the Americas. 1.2. The International Health Regulations The International Health Regulations (IHR) are a set of binding legal instruments adopted by the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) to contain the spread of disease. The most recent revision of the regulations (2005) is an updated version of the 1969 regulations, which specified only four notifiable diseases – cholera, plague, yellow fever and smallpox (now eradicated). The 1969 version set forth general border control provisions, as well as relatively passive notification and monitoring measures. The new version – an unprecedented international public health agreement – provides for containing health emergencies at their local points of origin, rather than limiting action to national borders. The IHR (2005) have been in effect since 15 June 2007. It covers all diseases and health events that can have serious public health impact and that have the potential for international propogation. These diseases can range from emerging infections such as SARS and new human influenza viruses to chemical spills or leaks and nuclear accidents. The IHR specify a series of procedures for the management of such events, as well as basic requirements for national surveillance and response. These core competencies include the capacities to detect, investigate, confirm, notify, and take action on diseases or health events that could constitute public health emergencies of international significance. October 2010 version 5 Under the IHR (2005), PAHO/WHO should be notified immediately of all cases of the following diseases: smallpox, poliomyelitis (due to wild poliovirus), SARS, and human influenza caused by new virus subtypes. Annex II of the IHR (2005) refers to the surveillance, exchange of information, consultation, confirmation, and public health response to any new influenza virus subtype with pandemic potential. These notifications are to include assessments of human risk from influenzas occurring in avian populations. Detecting such outbreaks is responsibility of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). 1.3. The Epidemiology of Influenza The influenza virus The influenza virus is an RNA virus of the orthomomyxoviridae family. There are three types of the virus capable of causing disease in humans which have been identified—A, B, and C. However, only the A viruses, which are highly mutatable, have caused pandemics. The B viruses have caused sporadic outbreaks with high mortality in older adults, while the C viruses are usually associated with mild disease. Subtypes of the influenza A viruses also have designations, which are based on the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins present on their surface (Figure 1). Sixteen hemagglutinin subtypes and nine neuramidase subtypes have been identified. At present, the influenza A virus subtypes pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and H3N2 in circulation are responsible for seasonal epidemics (Table 1). The H5, H7 and H9 viruses rarely produce disease in humans. Figure 1 Characteristics of the influenza A virus October 2010 version 6 Lipoprotein shell with glycoprotein surface projections in the form of: • Hemagglutinin (H) 16 antigens • Neuraminidase (N) 9 antigens Table 1 Influenza A viruses responsible for the last four pandemics Virus type/subtype Pandemic Year A/H1N1 Spanish Flu 1918 A/H2N2 Asian Flu 1957 A/H3N2 Hong Kong Flu 1968 A/H1N1 Influenza H1N1 2009 Influenza A viruses have two principal features that give them major pandemic potential: • antigenic variability • an extensive animal reservoir, especially wild aquatic birds, which are a natural reservoir of all the known influenza subtypes The phenomenon of influenza A epidemics and pandemics is due to the frequency with which the genetic composition of influenza A viruses changes. Genetic changes, known as “antigenic
Recommended publications
  • Influenza Virus Infections in Humans October 2018

    Influenza Virus Infections in Humans October 2018

    Influenza virus infections in humans October 2018 This note is provided in order to clarify the differences among seasonal influenza, pandemic influenza, and zoonotic or variant influenza. Seasonal influenza Seasonal influenza viruses circulate and cause disease in humans every year. In temperate climates, disease tends to occur seasonally in the winter months, spreading from person-to- person through sneezing, coughing, or touching contaminated surfaces. Seasonal influenza viruses can cause mild to severe illness and even death, particularly in some high-risk individuals. Persons at increased risk for severe disease include pregnant women, the very young and very old, immune-compromised people, and people with chronic underlying medical conditions. Seasonal influenza viruses evolve continuously, which means that people can get infected multiple times throughout their lives. Therefore the components of seasonal influenza vaccines are reviewed frequently (currently biannually) and updated periodically to ensure continued effectiveness of the vaccines. There are three large groupings or types of seasonal influenza viruses, labeled A, B, and C. Type A influenza viruses are further divided into subtypes according to the specific variety and combinations of two proteins that occur on the surface of the virus, the hemagglutinin or “H” protein and the neuraminidase or “N” protein. Currently, influenza A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) are the circulating seasonal influenza A virus subtypes. This seasonal A(H1N1) virus is the same virus that caused the 2009 influenza pandemic, as it is now circulating seasonally. In addition, there are two type B viruses that are also circulating as seasonal influenza viruses, which are named after the areas where they were first identified, Victoria lineage and Yamagata lineage.
  • Pandemic Flu Planning for Schools

    Pandemic Flu Planning for Schools

    PandemicPandemicPandemic FluFluFlu PlanningPlanningPlanning forforfor SchoolsSchoolsSchools EdenEden Wells,Wells, MD,MD, MPHMPH Michigan Department of Community Health Influenza Strains •Type A – Infects animals and humans –Moderate to severe illness – Potential epidemics/pandemics • Type B – Infects humans only Source: CDC – Milder epidemics – Larger proportion of children affected •Type C –No epidemics –Rare in humans A’s and B’s, H’s and N’s • Classified by its RNA core – Type A or Type B influenza • Further classified by surface protein – Neuraminidase (N) – 9 subtypes known – Hemagluttin (H) – 16 subtypes known • Only Influenza A has pandemic potential Influenza Virus Structure Type of nuclear material Neuraminidase Hemagglutinin A/Moscow/21/99 (H3N2) Virus Geographic Strain Year of Virus type origin number isolation subtype Influenza Overview • Orthomyxoviridae, enveloped RNA virus •Strains –Type A –Type B –Type C Source: CDC • Further classified by surface protein –Neuraminidase (N) – 9 subtypes known – Hemagglutinin (H) – 16 subtypes known Influenza A: Antigenic Drift and Shift • Hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminadase (NA) structures can change •Drift: minor point mutations – associated with seasonal changes/epidemics – subtype remains the same •Shift:major genetic changes (reassortments) – making a new subtype – can cause pandemic Seasonal Influenza •October to April • People should get flu vaccine • Children and elderly most prone • ~36,000 deaths annually in U.S. Seasonal Effects Seasonal Influenza Surveillance Differentiating
  • Unilateral Hyperhidrosis Associated with Underlying Intrathoracic Neoplasia

    Unilateral Hyperhidrosis Associated with Underlying Intrathoracic Neoplasia

    Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.41.10.814 on 1 October 1986. Downloaded from Thorax 1986;41:814-815 Unilateral hyperhidrosis associated with underlying intrathoracic neoplasia D C LINDSAY, J G FREEMAN, C 0 RECORD From the Department ofMedicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary, and University ofNewcastle upon Tyne Intrathoracic neoplasia is notable for the many ways in wall. There were metastatic plaques in the right hemithorax which it may present. We would like to report two cases and abdominal cavity but no evidence of metastases in the demonstrating a rare association between unilateral local- brain or the spinal cord. ised hyperhidrosis of the thoracic cage and underlying intra- thoracic neoplasm. Discussion Case reports The association of intrathoracic malignancy with sym- pathetic neurological complications, especially Homer's CASE 1 syndrome, is well recognised, particularly in the case of A 67 year old retired shotblaster complained ofa 3 kg weight tumours occurring at the thoracic inlet. Unilateral hyper- loss, mild dyspnoea, chest pain localised to the right costal hidrosis is an unusual phenomenon which has been reported margin, and profuse sweating localised to an area below the sporadically in association with various conditions, includ- right scapula. He smoked 15 cigarettes per day. Examination ing intracranial malignancy, encephalitis, syringomyelia, confirmed a right sided localised band of sweating at the trauma, neuritis, cervical rib, osteoma of the dorsal spine, level ofT6-9 posteriorly. Apart from minimal winging ofthe and chickenpox; in several cases no obvious underlying right scapula and some wasting of the right suprascapular cause has been evident. muscles no abnormal neurological signs were detected.
  • The Common Cold.Pdf

    The Common Cold.Pdf

    PATIENT TEACHING AID The Common Cold PERFORATION ALONG TEAR Everyone has experienced the misery of the common Rhinovirus Infection cold. A cold causes familiar symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, congestion, postnasal drip, and cough. For most sufferers, these symptoms are annoying, but not serious. Cold symptoms gradually improve and disappear over 7 to 10 days without complications. Colds are viral infections, so treatment with an antibiotic is not helpful. The best treatment for a cold is rest, fluids, and nonprescription medicines to help relieve symptoms. Although there is no vaccine to prevent colds, the spread of cold viruses can be slowed by frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with those suffering from a cold. ILLUSTRATION: KRISTEN WIENANDT MARZEJON 2016 MARZEJON WIENANDT KRISTEN ILLUSTRATION: Copyright Jobson Medical Information LLC, 2016 continued MEDICAL PATIENT TEACHING AID Antibiotics Should Not Be Used to Treat a Cold Colds are caused by a variety of viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses. These viruses are highly contagious, and they are spread through the air or when someone is in contact with an infected person or contaminated object. There is no good evidence that exposure to cold or being overheated © Jobson Medical Information LLC, 2016 LLC, Information Medical Jobson © increases the risk of contracting a cold. Although most Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently colds occur in the winter months, some viruses that cause to prevent the spread of cold viruses. colds are more common in the fall or spring. Infants and young children are more prone to colds, as are people with weakened immunity.
  • Unraveling the Complexity of Chronic Pain and Fatigue

    Unraveling the Complexity of Chronic Pain and Fatigue

    UNRAVELING THE COMPLEXITY OF CHRONIC PAIN AND FATIGUE LUCINDA BATEMAN, MD & BRAYDEN YELLMAN, MD © UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH SESSION #3 Effective use of evidence-based clinical diagnostic criteria and symptom management approaches to improve patient outcomes © UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH THE RATIONALE FOR USING EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA • Widespread pain amplification disorders – 1990 ACR fibromyalgia – 2016 ACR fibromyalgia criteria • Orthostatic Intolerance Disorders – POTS, NMH, OH, CAN, NOH… • ME/CFS 2015 IOM/NAM criteria © UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH PAIN AMPLIFICATION DISORDERS EX: FIBROMYALGIA ACR 1990 Chronic (>3 months) Widespread Pain (pain in 4 quadrants of body & spine) and Tenderness (>11/18 tender points) PAIN= stiffness, achiness, sharp shooting pains…tingling and numbness…light and sound sensitivity…in muscles, joints, bowel, bladder, pelvis, chest, head… FATIGUE, COGNITIVE and SLEEP disturbances are described in Wolfe et al but were not required for dx. Wolfe F, et al. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia: report of the Multicenter Criteria Committee. Arthritis Rheum 1990;33:160–72 © UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH FIBROMYALGIA 1990 ACR CRITERIA Pain in four quadrants and the spine © UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH FIBROMYALGIA 2016 ACR CRITERIA 2016 Revisions to the 2010/2011 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria, Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. Volume 46, Issue 3. www.semarthritisrheumatism.com/article/S0049-0172(16)30208-6 © UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH FM IS OFTEN FOUND COMORBID WITH OTHER CONDITIONS Examples of the prevalence of fibromyalgia by 1990 criteria among various groups: General population 2% Women 4% Healthy Men 0.1% IM & Rheum clinics 15% IBS 13% Hemodialysis 6% Type 2 diabetes 15-23% Prevalence of fibromyalgia and co-morbid bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
  • The Indian Culture By: Rachita Vinoth

    The Indian Culture By: Rachita Vinoth

    The Indian Culture By: Rachita Vinoth Red, pink, yellow, green, purple, orange, blue, white. Colors float and wave around me. They are in front of me, beside me, behind me, everywhere! There are so many colors that it feels like I am in the sun where all the colors are combined. But to tell you the truth, I am in India. India is a place full of colors, and everywhere you look, everything is so lively and beautiful. There are so many varieties of everything here. India is even called “The Land of Diversity” because of the varieties of food, entertainment, traditions, festivals, clothing, religions, languages, and so much more. Every direction you look, from food to religion, you will see so many unique things. It helps you, it gives you energy, it is the thing that keeps you moving and working - it’s food. There are so many famous foods in India that it is called the land of spices. People from Northern India desire foods like Mughlaifood. Famous foods in Southern India are dosa, idli, and more rice-based dishes. Some foods that people across the country like are chole bhature, all kinds of bread like roti and naan, and of course the all time favorite biryani! Some Indian desserts that are famous are kheer, rasgulla, gulab jamun, and more different varieties. Indians like to play a musical game called antakshari. They also like to watch movies, and the movies are mostly musical, including many types of songs and dances. The movie industry, Bollywood, is almost as big as Hollywood now.
  • A Comparative Evaluation Between the Impact of Previous Outbreaks and COVID-19 on the Tourism Industry Has Been Made Based on Statistics and Previous Research Studies

    A Comparative Evaluation Between the Impact of Previous Outbreaks and COVID-19 on the Tourism Industry Has Been Made Based on Statistics and Previous Research Studies

    The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2516-8142.htm Impact of A comparative evaluation between COVID-19 on the impact of previous outbreaks the tourism and COVID-19 on the industry tourism industry Gulcin Ozbay, Mehmet Sariisik and Veli Ceylan Received 11 November 2020 Revised 9 January 2021 Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Accepted 10 January 2021 Sakarya, Turkey, and Muzaffer Çakmak Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Istanbul_ Gelis¸im University, Istanbul, Turkey Abstract Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to make a comparative evaluation of the impacts of previous outbreaks and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the tourism industry. COVID-19 appears to have disrupted all memorizations about epidemics ever seen. Nobody has anticipated that the outbreak in late December will spread rapidly across the world, be fatal and turn the world economy upside down. Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome and others caused limited losses in a limited geography, thus similar behaviors were expected at first in COVID-19. But it was not so. Today, people continue to lose their lives and experience economic difficulties. One of the most important distressed industries is undoubtedly tourism. Design/methodology/approach – This study is a literature review. In this review, a comparative evaluation between the impact of previous outbreaks and COVID-19 on the tourism industry has been made based on statistics and previous research studies. Findings – The information and figures obtained show that COVID-19 and previous outbreaks have such significant differences that cannot be compared.
  • The Next Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from Hong Kong, 1997

    The Next Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from Hong Kong, 1997

    Perspectives The Next Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from Hong Kong, 1997 René Snacken,* Alan P. Kendal, Lars R. Haaheim, and John M. Wood§ *Scientific Institute of Public Health Louis Pasteur, Brussels, Belgium; The Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; §National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, United Kingdom The 1997 Hong Kong outbreak of an avian influenzalike virus, with 18 proven human cases, many severe or fatal, highlighted the challenges of novel influenza viruses. Lessons from this episode can improve international and national planning for influenza pandemics in seven areas: expanded international commitment to first responses to pandemic threats; surveillance for influenza in key densely populated areas with large live-animal markets; new, economical diagnostic tests not based on eggs; contingency procedures for diagnostic work with highly pathogenic viruses where biocontainment laboratories do not exist; ability of health facilities in developing nations to communicate electronically, nationally and internationally; licenses for new vaccine production methods; and improved equity in supply of pharmaceutical products, as well as availability of basic health services, during a global influenza crisis. The Hong Kong epidemic also underscores the need for national committees and country-specific pandemic plans. Influenza pandemics are typically character- Novel Influenza Viruses without ized by the rapid spread of a novel type of Pandemics influenza virus to all areas of the world, resulting In addition to true pandemics, false alarms in an unusually high number of illnesses and emergences of a novel strain with few cases and deaths for approximately 2 to 3 years.
  • Postviral Bronchial Hyperreactivity Syndrome: Recognizing Asthma's

    Postviral Bronchial Hyperreactivity Syndrome: Recognizing Asthma's

    • Postviral bronchial hyperreactivity syndrome: Recognizing asthmas great mimic DAVID OSTRANSKY, DO FRANCIS X. BLAIS, DO Although there are no prospec- (Key words: Viral infections, asthma, tive studies regarding the frequency of respiratory tract infections, postviral postviral bronchial hyperreactivity syn- bronchial hyperreactivity syndrome) drome, it is a common complication of upper and lower respiratory tract viral Viral respiratory tract infections frequently infections. The respiratory symptoms cause wheezing and other asthmalike symp- closely resemble those of asthma, but they toms. Several investigators have demonstrated are present for only 3 weeks to 3 months pertinent features of this abbreviated form of following the acute infection phase. Defin- asthma, including early response phase, late ing the mechanisms of this syndrome may response phase, and bronchial hyperreac- provide insight into the pathogenesis of tivity. 1-5 Understanding the mechanisms by asthma. Postviral bronchial hyperreac- which viral respiratory tract infections precipi- tivity syndrome is frequently misdiag- tate the airway abnormalities of asthma may nosed and inappropriately managed be- be a potential key to the pathogenesis of cause many physicians are unfamiliar asthma, although whether viral respiratory with this illness. Because of its character- tract infections truly cause asthma is un- istic history, diagnosis is straightforward proved.6 when the physician knows what to look The symptom complex following viral up- for, and response to therapy is excellent. per or lower respiratory tract infections (or This report presents a case history fol- both) has not been formally identified. It is fre- lowed by a review of the proposed mecha- quently misdiagnosed by physicians who then nisms of bronchial hyperreactivity follow- institute inappropriate diagnostic studies and ing viral respiratory infections.
  • Acute Bronchitis Treatment Without Antibiotics Owner: NCQA (AAB)

    Acute Bronchitis Treatment Without Antibiotics Owner: NCQA (AAB)

    Measure Name: Acute Bronchitis Treatment without Antibiotics Owner: NCQA (AAB) Measure Code: BRN Lab Data: N Rule Description: The percentage of adults 18-64 years of age who had a diagnosis of acute bronchitis and were not dispensed an antibiotic prescription within three days of the encounter. General Criteria Summary 1. Continuous enrollment: One year prior to the date of the acute bronchitis index encounter through 7 days following that date (373 days) 2. Index Episode based: Yes 3. Anchor date: Episode date 4. Gaps in enrollment: One 45-day gap allowed in the period of continuous enrollment 5. Medical coverage: Yes 6. Drug coverage: Yes 7. Attribution time frame: Episode date 8. Exclusions apply: None 9. Age range: 18-64 10. Intake period: All but the last 7 days of the measurement year Summary of changes for 2013 1. No changes to this measure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Denominator Description: All patients, aged 18 years as of the beginning of the year prior to the measurement year to 64 years as of the end of the measurement year, who had an outpatient or emergency department encounter with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis Inclusion Criteria: Patients as above with no comorbid condition during the twelve month period prior to the encounter, no prescription for an antibiotic medication filled 30 days prior to the encounter, and no competing diagnosis during the period from 30 days prior to the encounter to 7 days after the encounter. The intake period is from the beginning of the measurement year to 7 days prior to the end of the measurement year.
  • Sore Throats: Causes and Cures

    Sore Throats: Causes and Cures

    Vinod K. Anand, MD, FACS Nose and Sinus Clinic Sore Throats: Causes and Cures What Causes A Sore Throat? Sore throat is one symptom of an array of different medical disorders. Infections cause the majority of sore throats, and these are the sore throats that are contagious (can be passed from one person to another). Infections are caused by either viruses (such as the "flu," the "common cold" or mononucleosis) or bacteria (such as "strep," mycoplasma or hemophilus). The most important difference between viruses and bacteria is that bacteria respond well to antibiotic treatment, but viruses do not. Viruses Most viral sore throats accompany the "flu" or a "cold." when a stuff-runny nose, sneezing, and generalized aches and pains accompany the sore throat, it is probably caused by one of the hundreds of known viruses. These are highly contagious and cause epidemics in a community, especially in the winter. The body cures itself of a viral infection by building antibodies that destroy the virus, a process that takes about a week. Sore throats accompany other viral infections such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup. Canker sores and fever blisters in the throat also can be very painful. One special viral infection takes much longer than a week to be cured: infectious mononucleosis or "mono." This virus lodges in the lymph system, causing massive enlargement of the tonsils (with white patches on their surface) and swollen glands in the neck, armpits and groin. it creates a severely sore throat, sometimes causes serious difficulties breathing, and can affect the liver, leading to jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
  • Call to Action: the Dangers of Influenza and COVID-19 in Adults

    Call to Action: the Dangers of Influenza and COVID-19 in Adults

    Call to Action The Dangers of Influenza and COVID-19 in Adults with Chronic Health Conditions October 2020 Experts urge all healthcare professionals to prioritize influenza vaccination to help protect adults with chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic The recommendations in this Call to Action are based on discussions from an Call to Action August 2020 Roundtable convened by the National Foundation for Infectious The Dangers of Influenza Diseases (NFID). The multidisciplinary and COVID-19 in Adults with group of subject matter experts Chronic Health Conditions explored the risks of co-circulation and co-infection with influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses in adults with chronic Overview health conditions from the perspective While every influenza (flu) season is unpredictable, of their specialized areas of medicine the 2020-2021 season is characterized by an and discussed strategies to protect unprecedented dual threat: co-circulation of these vulnerable populations. influenza and the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. Moreover, there is concern Experts agreed that higher levels of that co-circulation and co-infection with influenza influenza vaccination coverage during and COVID-19 viruses could be especially harmful, the 2020-2021 influenza season could particularly among adults at increased risk of reduce the number of influenza-related influenza-related complications. hospitalizations, helping to avoid Influenza poses serious health risks to adults unnecessary strain on the US healthcare with certain chronic health conditions including system during the COVID-19 pandemic, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. The so that healthcare facilities have the increased risk of influenza-related complications capacity to provide care to patients includes the potential exacerbation of underlying with COVID-19.